The experience of Ukrainian women in Bulgaria turned out to be mixed. Along with the sea, a familiar climate, and the opportunity to settle down, they encountered rising costs, strict rules, and varying attitudes from locals.
Bulgaria / © pixabay.com
Ukrainian women who moved to Bulgaria after the full-scale invasion began shared their expenses on housing, groceries, and utilities, as well as the unexpected situations they faced in their new country. Their accounts sparked an online discussion.
This is reported on the YouTube channel of Natali Velessevych.
Yuliana’s Story
For Yuliana from Kherson, Bulgaria became a new place of residence after several moves. After the full-scale war broke out, she relocated to Odesa, and in 2024, she and her husband moved to Bulgaria. Initially, they lived on the Sunny Beach, and later settled in Varna.
Yuliia Switched from Portugal to Bulgaria
Another Ukrainian woman, Yuliia, had lived in Portugal for three years before her move. She decided to change countries due to rising expenses. Bulgaria, according to her, turned out to be closer to Ukraine in terms of climate and lifestyle.
2000 Euros Per Month for Two: What’s Needed for Living
Yuliana mentioned that before Bulgaria switched to the euro, her family spent about 200 levs on utilities, which is approximately 100 euros. However, in the first winter after the transition to the euro, her utility bills, she stated, increased to about 200 euros.
Groceries also became more expensive, although she did not observe a double increase in prices as with utilities.
For two adults, a dog, and a car, Yuliana estimates a comfortable monthly budget of around 2000 euros. This amount includes about 500 euros for rent, 200 euros for utilities, and approximately 500 euros for groceries.
Yuliia’s expenses are higher. A two-bedroom apartment with panoramic windows costs her about 900 euros per month. For groceries — fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat — she spends an additional 600–700 euros.
Utility bills vary by season: in the summer, they amount to about 120 euros due to constant air conditioning use, and in the winter, they can reach up to 200 euros.
Real estate prices also do not appear excessively low. According to Yuliia, her acquaintances purchased a 45-square-meter apartment on Sunny Beach for 60,000 euros.
Tow Truck and Fine for Improper Parking
Local parking regulations became a separate issue for the Ukrainian woman.
Yuliia’s car was towed twice. In one instance, it happened near a cafe, and in another, after a wheel of the car ended up on the curb.
She had to pay around 40–45 euros to retrieve the car. Moreover, the Ukrainian woman mentioned that finding the impound lot was not easy.
In the comments under the video, one user noted that many people have had issues with parking fines in Bulgaria, while simultaneously positively assessing the fact that both women wish to remain in the country.
“You Are Guests Here”: Ukrainian Women Talk About Bulgarians
The women’s experiences interacting with locals varied.
Yuliia recalled a situation at a car wash where an employee raised his voice at her after she asked him to repeat information in English. Later, she suggested that such abruptness might be a characteristic of the local temperament rather than necessarily indicating a negative attitude towards Ukrainians.
Yuliana encountered more direct unfriendliness. At a gas station, upon hearing Ukrainian, a local told her, “You are guests here.”
Another conflict occurred near a lake: a man, according to the Ukrainian woman, set his dog on the couple and demanded that they leave Bulgaria.
At the same time, Yuliana noted that she also had many positive interactions with locals. It’s just that negative experiences tend to be remembered more strongly.
Ukrainians Online Debate Bulgaria
The women’s accounts elicited a mixed reaction from viewers.
Some users confirmed that they too had encountered peculiarities of local service after moving.
One commenter shared that a shop assistant in Bulgaria responded curtly after a simple inquiry about a purchase. After watching the video, she speculated that such a manner of communication might be typical of the local service sector.
Other users pointed to the rise in prices. According to one comment, price increases in Bulgaria began as early as 2025 due to anticipation of the country’s adoption of the euro.
However, there were also those who disagreed with the criticism of Bulgaria. One commenter called the video informative and useful for people seeking a country for refuge.
Another user, conversely, stated that the episode was too negative and reminded viewers of Bulgaria’s assistance to Ukrainian refugees. She urged gratitude towards the country that welcomed Ukrainians.
Another commenter wrote that Ukrainians in Bulgaria have opened many of their own businesses, which, according to him, irritates some locals. He also noted that rent and real estate prices have significantly increased. At the same time, the user believes that it is possible to live in the country and called Varna a less developed city compared to Burgas.
There were also harsher assessments. One user called Bulgaria and Varna unwelcoming to Ukrainians and complained about prices, roads, and parking.
Some commenters, on the other hand, urged not to focus solely on the drawbacks. One of them emphasized, “You’re a guest, not at home,” but at the same time noted that the main advantage for Ukrainians remains peaceful skies.
Medical Care: A Difficult Personal Experience
For Yuliia, health became a separate challenge. Amidst the stress after relocating, she began experiencing panic attacks.
The prescribed treatment, according to her, caused a number of side effects. About a week and a half after starting the medication, severe headaches appeared, lasting over a month. Later, seizures, tremors, and insomnia followed. On one occasion, she could not sleep for almost five days.
When her condition became critical, Yuliia called an ambulance. However, she stated, the crew did not arrive, and she was advised to get to the hospital on her own.
Despite this incident, the Ukrainian woman does not generally consider Bulgarian medicine to be bad and assesses her personal experience as a singular negative event.
Earlier, a journalist revealed the main cost-saving tricks for elite trips, including those to Bulgaria.
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